Trammel attachment for tape measures



Jan. 8, 1952 c. HILT ETAL TRAMMEL ATTACHMENT FOR TAPE MEASURES Filed June 9, 194'? m m L .Q. mzmww Z M Q36 02 f b $55M m J6 Patented Jan. 8, 1952 TRAMMEL ATTACHMENT FOR TAPE MEASURES Carl Hilt, Detroit, and James E. Butterworth, Berkley, Mich.

Application June 9, 1947, Serial No. 753,446

2 Claims.

This invention relates to measuring devices, and in particular to trammels or devices for ruling arcs or circles of very long radii.

One object of this invention is to provide a trammel attachment for a measuring tape, wherein the attachment enables the drawing of circles or arcs of very long radius and using a standard tape measure which may be quickly attached to or detached from the device.

Another object is to provide a trammel attachment for a tape measure wherein a pivot pin and scribin pin construction is employed, which enhances the accuracy of scribing the arc or circle, particularly in view of the associated structure which holds the tape very close to the surface upon which the arc or circle is being scribed or drawn.

Another object is to provide a trammel attachment for a tape measure, wherein the body of the tape measure holder extends on opposite sides of the center or pivot pin, thereby increasing the accuracy of. the scribing by causing the tape to be held accurately parallel to the work, and as close as possible to it without the danger of the tape twisting or buckling.

Another object is to provide a trammel attachment for a tape measure of the concave type, particularly the tape measure with a hook at the end thereof, the scribing block having a recess for accommodating a predetermined length of the tape so that the radius of the are or circle being scribed is easily found from the graduations on the tape.

Another object is to provide a tape trammel consisting of a trammel attachment carrying a standard tape measure, the supporting block and scribing block being movable close together so that the device can be placed in an ordinary mechanics tool box where it occupies very little room.

Another object is to provide a trammel attachment for a tape measure, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein a fine adjustment is provided for splitting the finest graduations on the tape so that if the tape is of sufficient accuracy of construction, such asfor example a steel tape, the device enables arcs or circles to be drawn to an accuracy greater than that obtainable from the graduations on the tape alone.

Another object is to provide a trammel attachment for a tape measure, the construction of which is so accurate and that may be placed so close to the work that arcs having a radius of many feet can be drawn and the scribing repeated without resulting in the double are which arises in trammels of less accurate design and construction.

Another object is to provide a trammel attachment for tape measures, wherein a hook pin is optionally provided for the center pin of the device so that the device may be pivoted on the plate or block and an arc accurately drawn with the edge as a point of reference.

Another object is to provide a trammel attachment for a tape measure, wherein means is provided for rendering the point of the center pin or pivot pin easily visible so that it may be accurately positioned in the exact location desired, thereby eliminatin the errors which otherwise occur where the center pin cannot be accurately placed on the desired point.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top-plan view of a trammel attachment employing a standard tape measure, according to a preferred form of the invention, with the end portion of the tape broken away to disclose the construction of the scribing block beneath it.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the trammel attachment shown in Figure 1, with the head of the center pin in longitudinal section.

Figure 3 is a central vertical section through the trammel attachment of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 2, showing the scribing block;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-section through the plane of the pivot or center pin, taken along the line 55 in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the left-hand end portion of Figure 2, showing a modified center pin or hook pin used in the invention, and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary top-plan view of a portion of the trammel atttachment at the left-hand end of Figure 1 showing the scale arrangement for splitting the intervals between graduations upon the scale, so as to increase the accuracy of the device.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 and 2 show a tape trammel, generally designated Ill, consisting of a standard tape measure H mounted on and attached to a trammel attachment, generally designated i2, according to the invention. consists of two units, namely a center unit 13, which also holds the tape measure 5 i, and a scribing unit M to which the .hook :5 on the free end of the tape I6 of the tape measure H is secured. The construction of the trammel attachment I2 The trammel attachment 12 itself 3 of such that a standard tape measure I l is employed, preferably of the concave steel tape type (Figure This construction imparts rigidity and accuracy to the device. The details of the tape measure N form no part of the present in- 5 vention andanyconventional tape measure may be employed. The tape measure 11 includes a cylindrical or drum-like housing I! with a slot H3 in the periphery for the passage of the tape Hi, the latter being urged inward into the housing 1''! by a spring (not shown) which,"in turn iscontrolled by a push button l9 when it is desired'to automatically pull the tape 5 into the casing |1. The hook i5 on the free end of the tape'|B-i s}i'se-, cur-ed, as by the rivets 29, to the end of the'tape 15 (Figure ,3) and is provided with. aproiectioni l which, in the ordinary use of the tapemeasura i is hooked over the edge of the reference point from whichthe measurement is to be taken.

The scribing unit H! in which the'end' hook I5 of the tape I5 is held is in the formof a rectang ular block 22, preferably of steel for the sake of precision and: resistance to wear, and having concave recesses 23' in its opposite side walls- 24 and also asimilarrecess 25in the top surface 26 there- 25 of; These recesses are for receiving-the fingertips for more conveniently grasping the block 22. A'Jprojecting portion 21 of less-height than theremainder of' the block 22 extends forwardly therefrom leaving'a gap b'etweenthe bottom wall 30 28 thereof and the adjacent'bottom wall 2 90f the block 22; iTh'e projecting portion-"2T is' provided with a verticalbore 38 in which a s'cribing 'pin 3i-with a conical-"point 32 is vertically adjustable. The pin 3| is held in its-adjusted position-by-a thumb screw 33 threaded into-a transverse threaded hole 35; Thus the space below thebottorn surface 28 0f the projecting portiOn Z-Tenables the point- 32' of the scribing pin 3| to be tea-1 seen. It will be understood; of; course, 40 that for work of moderate precision, a pencilor pen may be mounted in the bore 30 in'place of the scribing pin 3|.- 4 r The blocliZZ is provided with a groove-like recess 35 of'the width ofthe tape i5 and'havingan' upwardly-sloping rear'wall 35. The: side walls 3105 the :recess 35 are parallel and are provided with relatively low front portions 38 upon which a bridge member 55 is secured (Figures 1,

2 and' l) as by the thumb screws 48 threaded 50 through the spaced holes 4| (Figure 4;) into the threaded holes 42 m the block 22. Thelbridge member 39 is provided with-a downwardly projecting portion 43'having an arcuate lower wall fidextending into the recess 35, whichis also of arcuate cross-section corresponding to the crossseetional curvature of the measuring tape iii. The center'of the bridge member 39 is provided with an upwardly-extending portion 45 which, when thebridge member 39is usedupon-thecenter unit. l3, serves to-supportthe tape measure casing (Figure'3). The bridge member-59 on its rear wall is provided with a cavity 45:0f'elongated cross-section for receiving the projecting portion 2| on the hook l5 at the end of the meas- 85 cut away as--at53, soas-to-slopedownwardto ward the front of the portion 50. The portion 55 75 opposite'directionsfrom a zero point 88.

s'lidee58-is-providedlwith asimilar zeropoint'flii and spaced; graduations: 83' which are farther a desired radius-is obtaihedi The bridge member 54 is generally similar to the bridg-e'members 39 shown in Figure 4 for the scribing unit I4, and

similar parts and similarly designated.

;-The,;base-41--is provided with a cross slot 55 "having an 'arcuate surface 51 sloping inward and downward from the side walls 52 (Figure 5).

This cross-slot -56"-i's for the pupose of rendering thepoint of the center pin more clearly vvisible,

as; described-below. Slidably mounted in the slot 48 is a slide block 58 having a vertical bore 59 in which a center pin 6|l with a sharp conical point 5| is reciprocably. mounted. The point .61 is 'visiblel from the side. of? the centering unit, 13 (Figure 2)" due to the provision of the cross-slot 55, as previously stated. The center pin 68 is provided with alknurled head 52 having a. concavity'fi3i'therein for the fingertip and also. having aconical" portion 64' adjacent its junction with the shank ofthezpin 6.0, this portion 5a serving to'receivelandlock inposition the upperend of a coil compressionspringefi, thelower end of which engages thertop oftthe slide 58 and urges the: center p-in 5U :upward; 'At-the same time, the reaction of-the spring. 65 also urges the slide: 58

"and, the baseportionx fl downwardly into contact with; the surface being-workedupon; thereby-at all times, maintaining the center pin so in; a, perpendicular-posit-ion;

The slide 58 is retained in itsposition in;the slot148 by the head: of the retaining: screw 65 which-is threaded-:into-aqhole fil inonetof the side-1 walls:- 52; of: the; slot: 48- and. overhangs the latter.:. The slide; 58 is. provided with a horizontalhole 68 =in whicheis seated theend' of a stud 69. Therend 'of the slotp48 is. closed bya iplate 'lll which is secured byv the screws il to the side walls 52, thescrews I I being-threaded into holes. 12" therein (Figure 1).. The plate" i0 is provided with. an; unthreaded hole, 13 through which. the stud 69"passes and is freely slidable. -A.hollow 'thur'nbenutifl with a threaded bore is; thre'adedxupon;thestud s9- and is provided with a recess-J16 containing, accoil spring H.

The rotation offthe thumb. nut14 thus causes creasing; the accuracyof; setting of the device,

the; top surface, atone; ofethe side-walls 52' is provided: with v. a linear -scale 1719 (Figures 1 and 7 it which is graduated-pin any, system of linear measurement, such as; inches or centimeters, in

from the zero liner82"by one-half of thedi st graduation interval than the limit ma k As-a consequence, when one, of the in is moved into coincidence with onev of 'th 84, the radius set between the, center andthetscribing pin 3|, it is increased; i

creased by an amount. equalitoone ha'lfa hese graduations, depending upon whether the slide 58 ismoved in the direction of the plus arrow or minus arrow in.,Figure 7.

The point 32 of the scribing pin 3| (Figure 3) is located at a predetermined distance, for example, two inches from the end surface 85 of the block 22. In a similar manner, the point 6| of the center pin 60 is located at a predetermined distance, for example, two inches from the front wall 86 of the base 41. Thus,.the effect of this is to decrease the effective length of the measuring tape It by the combined amounts of these distances, for example, four inches. Therefore, if the tape i6 is clamped with its four-inch graduation in alignment with the end wall 85 of the block 22, then the graduation on the tape 16 which is in alignment with the end 86 of the base 4'! (Figure 3), will be the radius of the are which will be drawn when the device is used.

The modification shown in Figure 6' is similar to the principal form of the invention shown in Figure 2, and similar parts are similarly designated In the modification of Figure 0, however, the centering pin 87 is provided with a point which is laterally notched-or cut away as at 83 to provide an abutment surface or shoulder 89 which lies precisely upon the central axis of the pin 50 and bore 59. lThe purpose .of this modification is to facilitate the use of the device in striking arcs from the edge of a plate, table or the like, as a center.

In the operation of the invention, the ridge members 39 and 54 are removed by removing the thumb screws 55. A short length of the measuring tape 16 is unrolled and insertedin the grooves or recesses 50 and 35 respectively. The bridge members 99 and 54 are then replaced and clamped in position by the thumb screws 49 and 55 respectively, the hook portion is having its projection 21 seated in the recess 46 (Figure 3). The tape I6 is clamped with the graduation corresponding to the sums of the distances between the point 6! and surface 35 and the point 32 and the surface 65 in alignment with the end surface 85 of the block 22. The graduation appearing next to the end surface 353 of the center unit I2 then represents the radius of the are which will be actually drawn when the device is used. The thumb screws 55 are then tightened to clamp the tape H at the selected radius. The casing I! of the tape measure N then rests partly upon the projection 45 on top of the bridge member 54 and partly upon the junction of the cut away portions 53 (Figures 2 and 3) with the side walls 52 of the slot 118.

The operator then brings the block 52 close to the point at which the center of the arc is to be located, if he has not already done so. Assuming that the center is located in the usual manner by a prick punch mark or indentation, the operator pushes the centering pin 60 downward until the point 6| enters the prick punch indentation, sliding the block 52 to and fro with the fingers while aligning the point 6| with the prick punch indentation through the cross-slot 56. With the point 6| of the center pin 60 thus lined up with the center of the proposed are, the operator stretches the tape l6 outward until it is taut, holding the block 22 between his fingers, and scribes the are by swinging the block 22 of the scribing unit l4 around the point 6| of the center pin 60 as a center. The concave recesses 23 and 25, by providing places for his, fingertips, assist him in this respect.

In the event that the operator desires to use the edge of a plate, table or the like as a center from which to strike the are, he replaces the pointed center pin 60 of Figure 2 with the stepped center pin 81 (Figure 6), resting the shoulder 89 against the edge of the plate or table. He then repeats the operations described above, holding one finger down upon the top of the pin 81 in order to hold it in engagement with the edge of the table or plate. With the scribing unit I4 held between his fingers as previously described, he scribes the are.

What we claim is:

1. ,A trammel attachment for detachable selfcontained encased tape measures comprising a scribing unit having a body with a scribing element and a holder for the end portion of a measuring tape, and a center unit having a body with a center element, a support having a portion detachably receiving the tape measure casing, and a clamp engageable with an intermediate portion of the measuring tape adjacent said tape measure casing, said scribing unit including a clamp engageable with said tape at a location spaced away from its forward free end and having a tape deflector disposed forwardly of said clamp and positioned to engage and bend upwardly the forward free end portion of said tape.

2. A trammel attachment for detachable selfcontained encased tape measures comprising a scribing unit having a body with a scribing element and a holder for the end portion of a measuring tape, and a center unit having a body with a center element, a support having a portion detachably receiving the tape measure casing, and a clamp engageable with an intermediate portion of the measuring tape adjacent said tape measure casing, said scribing unit including a clamp engageable with said tape at a location spaced away from its forward free end and having a cavity forwardly of said clamp, adapted to receive the end of said tape, said cavity having therein an upwardly-directed tape-deflecting portion disposed forwardly of said clamp and positioned to engage and bend upwardly the forward free end portion of said tape.

CARL HILT. JAMES E. BUI"I'ER.WORTI-I- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 366,890 Seargeant July 19, 1887 588,129 Clough Aug. 17, 1897 776,897 Ferris Dec. 6, 1904 812,322 Badger Feb. 13, 1906 1,045,300 Lary et al. Nov. 26, 1912 1,259,886 McLeod Mar. 19, 1918 1,404,794 Reitenbaugh Jan. 31, 1922 2,349,670 Moxey May 23, 1944 2,400,343 Eskil May 14, 1946 2,443,672 Allen June 22, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 64,589 Norway Mar. 23, 1942 500,362 France Dec. 15, 1919 604,777 Germany Oct. 27, 1934 

